Staff (lobby, reception, conciërge) speaks little to no English.
City is too big; overwhelming!
Walk around the hotel when you first arrive, and check the surroundings from the rooftop view, to get some understanding on where you are, all four sides!
Never leave without the hotel business card in Chinese. Even then quite difficult to get a taxi to return you to 'my residence in Shanghai'. (as it's called on the business card, in characters too, obviously)